Current collector



Aug. 20, 1946..

L. H. STAUFFER 2,406,262

CURRENT COLLECTOR Filed Oct. 8, 1943 Inventor: Lynn H.Stauffer', by x ml Himtorneg.

Patented Aug.20, 1946 2,406,262

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CURRENT COLLECTOR Lynn H. Staliffer, Pattersonville, N. Y., assignor to General Electric Company, a corporation of New York Application October 8, 1943, Serial No. 505,447

6 Claims. (01. 1'71--320) 1 2 My invention relates to current collectors and particularly to current collecting devices such as Metal (percentages) are used with dynamoelectric machines and are Alloy No. adapted to be contacted by a brush. Copper Zinc Lead Tin An object of my invention is to provide an im- 5 proved current collector made of a copper base alloy.

Further objects and advantages of my invention will become apparent and my invention will be better understood from the following descrip- 1;, While I have m h-m d nd described partiction referring to the accompanying drawing, and may embodiments of my ti modifications the features of novelty which characterize my theregf 111 occur t thos skilled in the art. I invention will be pointed out with particularity desire it t b understood, therefore, that m i in the claims annexed to and forming part of Vention is not to be hmited to t particular d this Specification. 5 rangements disclosed, and I intend in the append- Ihe drawing shows a brush and a fragmentary ed Claims t cover n modifications which do not View of a commutator embodying my invention. depart from the spirit and scope of my invention.

Referring to t d I have Shown a 0111 What I claim as new and desire to secure by rent collector in the form of a commutator in- Letters t t f the United States, is:

cllldi'rlg a p ity of commutator bars l adapt- :20 1. A current collector member adapted to be ed to be contacted by a brush ll made of any t t d by a brush and for a dynamoelectric suitable material, such as carbon, n pr vi ed machine formed of a copper base alloy including with a conventional pigtail conductor for profrom 60% to 85% copper and 40% to 15% zinc.

viding an electrical connection between the brush 2. A current collector member adapted to be H and a conventional brush holder terminal. It contacted by a brush and formed of a copper has been found that when current collectors oD- base alloy including from 60% to 85% copper and crate in dry and rarefied atmospheric conditions, 40% to zinc, with from 0.5% to 4% lead, a carbon or graphite base brush tends to Wear and 0.5% to 2% tin.

away very rapidly when the current collector 3. A current collector member adapted to be which the brush contacts is formed of copper, contacted by a brush and formed of a copper as in the conventional construction. Ihave found base alloy including substantially 60% copper,

that if the current collector member is formed substantially 38.5% zinc, 0.75% lead, and 0.75% of a copper base alloy including from 60% to 85% copper and t 15% zinc, the lif f the com 4. A current collector member adapted to be tact brush is greatly increased. In addition, I contacted b a brush and E of a copper have found that if such a current collector alloy base alloy mcludmg ,Substantlany 615% copper also is provided with a small percentage of lead substantlany 354% and lead or tin or both lead and tin, similarly greatly in- A current cotlector member adapted m be creased brush life may be expected. More specontacted bush and fol-med of a copper cifically, the lead content should preferably be 40 gggg igg g f g gi gg g i fig 84% copper from 05% to 4% and the tin content from 05% 6. A current collector member adapted to be to 2%. The following four compositions of this contacted by a brush and formed of a copper type alloy have been found to be particularly bas alloy including substantially 69% copper,

beneficial in increasing brush life when used in substantially 30% zinc, and 1% tin. making commutators or collector rings; LYNN H. STAUFFER. 

